The Untold Story: Kang Hye-yeon's Journey from BESTie to 2025

Kang Hye-yeon transformed from a K-pop idol to a successful trot singer, showcasing her versatility across multiple music genres. Previously known by the stage name Dami, she debuted as a member of EXID on February 16, 2012, with the group's first digital single "Holla". However, her path took several unexpected turns before finding her true musical identity.

After her time with EXID, Kang Hye-yeon became a member of the girl group BESTie. When BESTie disbanded in 2018, she reinvented herself and made her solo debut as a trot singer on October 31, 2018, with her first mini-album titled "Great". Notably, she rose to stardom in 2020-2021 thanks to her participation in the TV show Miss Trot 2, where she ranked 8th in the final competition. Since then, the South Korean singer born on December 8, 1990, has continued to build her reputation in the trot music scene under Watermelon Entertainment.

From EXID to BESTie: The Idol Years

Kang Hye-yeon's journey into the K-pop world began earlier than many fans realize.

Debut as Dami in EXID

Initially taking on the stage name Dami, Kang Hye-yeon debuted with EXID on February 16, 2012. She participated in the group's first digital single album, "Holla," serving as both a lead vocalist and rapper. Prior to this milestone, she discovered an audition notice online while preparing for college, recorded an MP3, and sent a demo file—successfully passing and becoming an idol trainee.

Why she left EXID early

Surprisingly, Hyeyeon's time with EXID lasted merely two months. On April 30, AB Entertainment announced her departure from the group. The official reason given was her desire to focus on her studies. This decision wasn't made lightly, especially considering she had endured a difficult period before debut, working various part-time jobs for two years during her trainee period.

Re-debut with BESTie

Approximately one year after leaving EXID, Hyeyeon signed with YNB Entertainment alongside former EXID members Haeryung and Uji (then known as Yuzi). The trio, joined by new member Dahye, formed BESTie and officially debuted on July 11, 2013, with their first single "Pitapat".

Role and image in BESTie

Throughout her time with BESTie, Hyeyeon took on the significant positions of leader and lead vocalist. Despite BESTie achieving recognition for their members' talents, Hyeyeon faced financial struggles—she was reportedly never paid during her time with the group and had to work several part-time jobs to support herself. BESTie's activity gradually diminished, with their final performance occurring at a military year-end concert in 2016 before their unofficial disbandment around mid-2017.

The Trot Transformation: A New Chapter

After BESTie's disbandment in 2018, Kang Hye-yeon made a bold career pivot that would redefine her musical identity.

Signing with Star Entertainment

Following years of financial struggles as an idol, Hyeyeon officially signed an exclusive contract with Star Entertainment on October 25, 2018. The agency had "always had their eyes on Kang" and promised to support her talents beyond singing.

Solo debut with 'Great'

Just six days after signing, Hyeyeon made her solo debut on October 31, 2018, with the mini album "Great" (왔다야). This marked her official transformation from idol to trot singer.

Why she chose trot music

Hyeyeon's trot journey wasn't entirely unexpected. She had always enjoyed the genre and even competed on Mnet's trot survival program "Trot X" back in 2014 while still promoting with BESTie. Consequently, when Star Entertainment CEO Choi Yang-su suggested trying trot, she readily embraced the opportunity.

Miss Trot 2 and public recognition

In 2021, Hyeyeon participated in TV Chosun's "Miss Trot 2" competition. Although she finished in eighth place, her performance captivated audiences nationwide.

Nickname 'Trot Squirrel'

Throughout the competition, her bubbly personality and energetic performances earned her the endearing nickname "Trot Squirrel".

Recent TV appearances and awards

Additionally, Hyeyeon appeared on MBN's "The Best K-Trot Singer" in November 2023. Furthermore, she was appointed as a promotional ambassador for South Korean islands in 2023-2024 and subsequently became Jeju Island's public relations ambassador in 2024.

Kang Hye Yeon Songs and Discography

Throughout her musical journey, Kang Hye-yeon has built an impressive catalog that showcases her versatility across multiple genres.

Studio albums and mini albums

Hyeyeon's discography includes her first full-length album "Sunday Hyeyeon" (선데이혜연), released on April 30, 2021. Before that, she debuted as a solo artist with her first mini-album "Great" (왔다야) on October 31, 2018.

Popular singles and digital releases

Her digital singles span several years, beginning with "Great" in 2018, followed by "Mangottaeng" (만고땡) in 2020. Moreover, she released "You Idiot" (천치 바보야) in 2022, "Comet: Broom Star" (혜성:빗자루별) in 2023, and "Yeon: Beautiful" (연:고울연) in 2023. First and foremost, her most recent release is "몰라도 너무 몰랐네" in April 2025.

Notable collaborations

Hyeyeon has participated in numerous collaborations, including "Stick With U" with Quattro Code (2013), "Coffee Cola" with Oh Song (2022), and "Just the Two of Us" with Nam Jin (2022). In addition, she worked with Jung Yi-han on "I Hate You So Much" (2018) and contributed to "Why Do You Call Me" alongside Hwang Woo-rim and Maria (2021).

Remix and special releases

She released remix versions of her hits, including "그냥가면 어쩌나" (Remix Ver.) in August 2024. Likewise, her "Kang Hye-yeon Miss Trot Techno Medley" (2020) demonstrated her ability to reinvent traditional trot music.

Music video view milestones

Hyeyeon's music videos have garnered significant attention, with tracks like "그냥가면 어쩌나" accumulating over 13,000 total streams on streaming platforms.

Fun Facts and Personal Life

Beyond her musical career, Kang Hye-yeon has fascinating personal interests that reveal her multifaceted personality.

Her love for oranges and puzzles

Apart from singing, Hyeyeon enjoys collecting oranges, a hobby that distinguishes her from other artists. Alongside this unique interest, she finds joy in solving puzzles, demonstrating her analytical mindset.

Pets and favorite foods

Hyeyeon shares her home with her beloved cat named Maemae. First and foremost, she has a remarkable interest in collecting insects—she even keeps beetles as pets! Regarding her culinary preferences, Hyeyeon favors turtle chips, chocolate, tiramisu, coffee, and New York cheesecake.

MBTI and personality traits

With an MBTI type of ENFP-A (Extraverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving), Hyeyeon embodies the "Campaigner" personality—enthusiastic, creative, and sociable. Her representative animal is a squirrel, a fitting match for her energetic nature.

Social media presence

Hyeyeon maintains an active Instagram account under the handle @hyeyeon_official, where she connects with fans and shares glimpses of her daily life.

Her ideal date and romantic side

Above all, Hyeyeon describes herself as a romantic at heart. Her ideal date would be filled with flowers and extravagance, revealing her appreciation for grand gestures and meaningful experiences.

FAQS

Curious fans often have questions about Kang Hye-yeon's life beyond her music career. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about this versatile artist.

Who is Kang Hye-yeon currently dating? Currently, there is no official information about Kang Hye-yeon's romantic relationship status. Nevertheless, she gained attention for her appearance on Channel A's "The Groom Class" where she went on a blind date with Enoch. The chemistry between them was apparent as they exchanged compliments and contact information.

What was her experience on "The Groom Class" show? On "The Groom Class," Hyeyeon expressed her admiration for Enoch, stating, "It's the first time seeing him up close. I've always seen him from afar, but up close, he's really handsome". Enoch comparably described her as "so small and petite, it felt like a real doll was walking towards me".

What is Kang Hye-yeon's MBTI personality type? Hyeyeon is an ENFP-A personality type, which typically describes someone who is outgoing, creative, and enthusiastic.

Does Kang have any unique talents or hobbies? Aside from music, Hyeyeon enjoys photography and drawing. She is essentially a multitalented artist who speaks Korean and English fluently.

What nickname is she known by among fans? Though widely known as "Trot Squirrel" in her trot career, Enoch mentioned that Hyeyeon is "very popular with women", indicating her broad appeal across different audiences.